Ferdinand Magellan (Robbie Readers) (What's So Great About...?)

Ferdinand Magellan made one of the most famous ocean voyages of all time. He left Spain in 1519 with five ships. He was trying to find a different route to the Spice Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Spices were very important to Europeans at that time. Along the way, he encountered many problems. Many of his men turned against him. He ran into heavy storms. Food and fresh water were often in short supply But he kept going. In 1522, one of his ships returned to Spain. It was the first time anyone had sailed all the way around the world. Unfortunately, Magellan had died in a battle the year before. Yet without his inspired leadership, the voyage would never have succeeded.